Paul Chambers - jeez - how good was this guy?

chuck3 · #1 08-08-2009, 10:16 PM

Circumstances have left me with Miles Davis albums to practice with until I get myself reorganized. Meanwhile, I am listening to Miles' albums from the late '50s and realizing just how good Paul Chambers is/was. So much warm tone that a more casual listener could relate to while the horns are breaking new ground at the other end of the sonic spectrum. Definitely one of the top bassists ever, and as concerns my own style on upright - the guy I'd like to emulate.

J. Crawford · #2 08-08-2009, 10:17 PM

Im from the Dark Side, and I can even say that Chambers was an amazing double bassist..

Back to my electric basses and frets!

chuck3 · #3 08-09-2009, 12:29 AM

hey jcraw, thanks for the bump. Hope it works out with Alison T. I think I posted this in the least viewed folder of TB, but so it is for jazz DB players.

Jim Carr · #4 08-09-2009, 12:31 AM

Mr. PC is my hero, and was a friend of a friend.

Marcus Johnson · #5 08-09-2009, 02:26 AM

reaaaaallllllly good.

zeytoun · #6 08-09-2009, 11:47 AM

It's funny, most people can't distinguish between spectacular playing, and mediocre playing, outside of a solo. They just know which song grooves better.

And as a novice, I can't always put my finger on EXACTLY what someone (like PC) is doing differently. But when I am listening to something on NPR, I'll stop and say "that bassist is hot!" And it's subtle (at least to someone like me). Something about the tone or the note placement, or some subtle note selection, nothing inherently drastic. But the overall effect is huge, and I notice. And when the announcer comes back on. And of course the bassist is Paul Chambers, or Red Mitchell, or some other great...

WBWhite · #7 08-25-2009, 09:23 PM

I feel you...PC was and still is phenomenal...I listen to everybody, but Chambers is the one that makes me speed home to practice after a gig!

RayBrownAddict · #8 09-05-2009, 10:08 AM

The main thing i love about P.C. is his horn-like improvisation. The phrases and intonation are some of the best i have ever heard. He just has a fantastic approach to the instrument as a whole and not to mention his bowed solos just sing.

iron monkey · #9 09-09-2009, 08:10 AM

P.C. was a monster playing pizz or arco. I think it was the mans subtlety that made him swing like that. If you listen carefully he threw down lots of ghost notes, pushed and pulled the beat, played a lot of tone colour and would imply all sorts of things in behind the tunes that made them really work.
He really grabbed my heart the instant I heard him.

Paul Warburton · #10 09-09-2009, 09:53 AM

I have trouble, like most people, in trying to use words to convey musical meaning.
One word I do like and I reserve it for very few players or singers is substantial.
That, for me, weeds out alotta weed.

Paul was substantial.